Scott D’Amore opens with TNA release to reveal its role in the WWE Partnership
In an outspoken interview with The Ariel Helwani Show, former TNA wrestling president Scott de Amore discussed the recent release from the company, the emotional impact of losing the reins after a rebrand, and his pivotal role in starting TNA and WWE’s burgeoning working relationship.
Looking back at his departure, D’Amore was unashamed to express his strong connection with the TNA brand and a sense of disappointment at the decision. “A decision will be made. I can be a strong tea or bite of whiskey, whatever you want to use. I was passionate about impact wrestling. I spent a lot of time doing impact wrestling. I left it to Anthem Upergant and went back to all the old stuff with TNA, so I don’t know if I could have seen TNA again.
D’Amore admitted that the direction of the TNA, particularly the revival of the name of the TNA, was something he felt passionately defended and ultimately had been taken out of his hands. “Are you still heading towards TNA wrestling? Absolutely. Do I feel like I’ve been pulled out of my hand? Absolutely? Does Len Asper and Anthem Sports have all the rights to do that? It’s absolutely frustrating. And while many of the decisions we saw in the talent we signed and nurtured are featured, that’s the name of the game.”
Despite his frustration, D’Amore recognized the business side of this decision and took pride in the work he and his team achieved in revitalizing the brand. “The person who has the purse strings decided to make a pivot and he made that pivot. Does it get frustrating? Without you, I was a paid executive. It’s part of my legacy, I’m used to it. Do you think I did well with it? Of course, because I have an ego, but it wasn’t.”
D’Amore has shifted the conversation to reveal his important role in starting the current working relationship between TNA and WWE. This is a partnership that saw the emergence of TNA talent in WWE programming and the other way around.
“It started with reaching out to Ed Norholm, who made my main contact every day from the advanced level of Anthem Sports, saying, ‘What do you think about this?’ It’s even discussed by Richard Schaefer, who is very well known for his boxing and wage circles. I had texts from numbers I didn’t know because I didn’t think they wanted to. And they wrote back.
D’Amore emphasized that while he was the first point of contact, the relationship evolved beyond his direct involvement. “Many of what we talked about on those first phones is still going on. This is great. I want to be very clear about this. I’m the one who reached out. I wasn’t the only person involved in the process. I was able to start a conversation. Some people are watching it, but I always don’t judge us. I reach out after the news that I’ve been let go.”
If you are using some of the quotes in this article, please praise Ariel Helwani Show to WrestlingNews.co on H/T for transcription.
